Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda has risen from a grim past to become one of the model African countries when it comes to development.
Rwanda has grown to become one of the popular travel destinations for mountain gorillas and African cultural experiences. All this has made Rwanda an attractive destination for curious travelers from all over the world.
From the serene natural beauty to the warm welcoming people, Rwanda is a destination worth visiting.
In this article, we'll look at some of the best places that you should check out on your visit to Rwanda - the land of a thousand hills.
Top Places To Visit In Rwanda
1. Volcanoes National Park.
Located in the northwestern part along the border with Uganda and DRC, the Volcanoes National Park is the most popular destination in Rwanda. As home to endangered mountain gorillas, many people come to visit one of the habituated mountain gorilla families.
Besides the gorillas, there are many monkeys, big mammals, and hundreds of birth species to be found in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.
2. Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is Rwanda's home for savannah wildlife such as elephants, zebras, lions, hippos, buffaloes, and many other animals and birds.
Akagera National Park is located to the East of Kigali, near the border with Tanzania.
3. Kigali City
Kigali - Rwanda's Capital is located in the middle of the country and is Rwanda's cultural and business center of development. While in Kigali, you can check out many places for art, coffee, history, and even hiking. The Kigali Genocide memorial is one of those places you shouldn't miss.
Looking at the pictures and stories of those people who perished in the 1994 Genocide is a moving and humbling experience.
4. Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu is Rwanda's largest water body and takes up about half of the entire boundary with D.R. Congo. Life around Lake Kivu is both relaxing and adventurous.
Whether you want to hike to the nearby mountains for incredibly fulfilling views, or to hop from one island to the other, Lake Kivu is the cherry on top of a Rwanda Safari.
5. Nyungwe Forest National Park
Nyungwe Forest National Park is found in the Southwestern part of Rwanda along the border with Burundi and DRC. Nyungwe is well known for its many primate inhabitants, especially the chimpanzees. The park has many trails that make it perfect for exploring the thick rainforest.
The star of the show in Nyungwe's infrastructure is the high canopy walkway that allows you to explore the forest from high among the treetops.
6. Musanze Caves
Located at the foothills of Volcanoes National Park, Musanze caves are growing in popularity. The caves are home to colonies of bats.
Learning about the history of the Musanze caves helps you connect to the roots of Rwanda from back in the old days when it was a kingdom.
Final Thoughts
While this is far from all you could do and see in Rwanda, these are our favorite Highlights. From the moving experience of gorillas to the heartening pictures at the Genocide Memorial and the relaxing emerald waters of Lake Kivu, Rwanda is a small country with a much bigger promise for you.
As you plan your trip to Rwanda, include as many of these spots and we promise, they will make you fall in love with this 'land of a thousand Hills'.
